Wool

Wool marketWool’s Euro opportunity

COVID-19’s blistering impact on European consumers’ will to purchase has been likened to an “atomic bomb” amid a weakening demand for woollen garments.

Zach Relph

BEHIND THE HANDPIECEFrom rugby to shearing, life well lived

Well before becoming the 1997 Australian shearing champion, Kiwi Mike Henderson’s dream was to play for New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby union team.

Bob Garnant

BEHIND THEHANDPIECEDetermined Dave kept pushing the limits

A Southern Brook farming couple who raised seven children were proud their daughter’s six brothers all decided to take up the shearing handpiece.

Bob Garnant

New surveyWoolProducers survey COVID-19 impact

The nation’s peak woolgrower body has launched an online survey to find out what impact COVID-19 is having on woolgrowers, including how many are storing wool on farm or have had to put off staff.

BEHIND THE HANDPIECELike father, like son in family firm

Freelance shearing contractor Barry Ugle has earned a living on the boards of wool sheds for 34 years throughout WA’s Wheatbelt.

Bob Garnant

Wool woesWool market drops to its lowest level in five years

The Eastern Market Indicator fell 55¢ to close at 1170¢/kg clean yesterday to mark its lowest level since 2015.

Bob Garnant

‘Double-whammy’‘Double-whammy’ has hit Australia’s wool market

“This double-whammy is the most severe challenge that the wool industry has faced for many years.”

Zach Relph and Bob Garnant

New groupWoolgrowers map out 10-year plan

A national woolgrower group held an online meeting last Thursday to chart a 10-year strategic plan to engage future generations into the industry.

Bob Garnant

BEHIND THE HANDPIECEShear delight spurs romance for a Williams couple

It all began when Sarah Lannan, who grew up on her parent’s fat lamb and potato farm at Crookwell, in NSW, met her future West Australian husband, Mark Buscumb, at the 2007 Crookwell Show.

Bob Garnant

WoolPoll ReviewWoolPoll review launched to decide levy process in 2020

The Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment today launched its WoolPoll Review and encouraged woolgrowers to provide a response to its discussion paper.

Zach Relph and Bob Garnant

Behind the handpieceHands-on couple shear inspiration to WA industry

Today Countryman launches a three-month campaign, Behind the Handpiece, to recognise the shearers and contractors of WA. Why? Because they keep the industry going, even in uncertain times.

Bob Garnant

Wool bouncePositive rebound sees WA emerge as wool leader

WA paved a positive foundation to emerge as the leading market, with the Western Market Indicator closing 31¢ higher at 1384¢/kg following improved selling at Bibra Lake’s Western Wool Centre.

Zach Relph

Online auctionOnline WA wool auction trial a success, as 51 lots sold

AWEX western region wool technical officer Andrew Rickwood said various trials were occurring due to the threat posed by COVID-19.

Bob Garnant

Stop the sale?WA woolgrowers against touted auction suspension

“It would be a short-sighted decision ... I think trying to manipulate the prices is fraught with danger.”

Zach Relph

Online auctionSydney wool sale held online to trial online technology

The auction, held online via Zoom, came as part of the trial to determine if sales could be held online if the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled face-to-face auctions.

Zach Relph

Uncertain timesCall to halt nation’s wool sales to stop falling value

“Our company view is that sales should not be proceeding under these extraordinary circumstances.”

Zach Relph

Women in WoolWomen in Wool has Australia-wide appeal

Talks are under way to hold Women in Wool Day events across Australia next year after the inaugural celebration last month.

Bob Garnant

Merino masksAustralian Merino face mask design of times

Australian Merino face masks — naturally, a new innovation to break the COVID-19 spread.

Bob Garnant

Wool worryWoolgrower outlook uncertain as pandemic worry mounts

In a letter to woolgrowers on Monday, Colette Garnsey warned the organisation was bracing for a downturn in China, the US and Italy’s wool markets over the next six months.

Zach Relph

Rising concernWool value spirals downwards as COVID-19 concerns mount

The fall — which was the EMI’s biggest weekly percentage drop since May, 2003 — came after the new formatted two-day auctions took place at the Fremantle, Melbourne and Sydney selling centres.

Bob Garnant and Zach Relph

Wool slumpAustralian wool market slumps a massive 155¢

The Eastern Market Indicator closed 155¢ at 1287¢/kg clean this week as coronavirus uncertainty continues to grip the nation’s wool industry.

Zach Relph

Under the hammerSafeguards ensure WA wool sales go on

Australian Wool Exchange Western Region manager Andrew Rickwood said last week’s Fremantle sale F39 was conducted in a more spacious show floor location which ran well.

Bob Garnant

No changeProposed wool declaration changes binned

There will be no change to the National Wool Declaration form.

Bob Garnant

Money returnedGIC investors finally get their cash

The 36,617 eligible Graziers’ Investment Company shareholders, accounting for more than two million shares, were distributed their respective investments last Friday.

Zach Relph